Animals banned from Big Four Bridge

After much debate, and many soiled shoes, animals won't be allowed on the Big Four pedestrian bridge.

Pets were banned Wednesday afternoon unanimously by the Waterfront Development Corporation.

It has definitely been a hot button issue since the bridge opened earlier this year.

The opinions seen on the WLKY Facebook page and around the bridge Wednesday appeared to be split.

The move was met by some with relief.

"You don't have to worry about stepping on stuff you don't want to step on," said Zachary Adamec, who supports the ban.

Others were left disappointed.

"I think it's a shame people couldn't police after their own dogs. That's what should have happened to begin with and it wouldn't have been an issue," said Doug Smith, who was opposed to the ban.

Citing the dog droppings left behind daily, the Waterfront Development Corporation felt it was their only choice.

"We tried everything we could to get a message out about picking up after the pets," said Waterfront Development president David Karem.

Earlier this year, officials placed signs at the foot of the bridge with a friendly reminder.

There was some improvement, but maintenance supervisor Victor Lovato said he was forced to pressure wash the bridge deck up to 90 minutes daily.

He was worried about more than just stains once the summer hit.

"Besides the cans having a smell, now you're going to smell where the dogs are using the restroom, then other dogs smell it and they're going to use the restroom in the same spot," said Lovato.

Despite the decision, the debate raged on.

"I have animals. I've never brought them here. I think they would enjoy it and I would enjoy bringing them, so I think its disappointing that the actions of a few could, I don't want to say hurt, but inconvenience so many," said Adam Price, who was against the ban.

"I don't want to pick up after them. If their owners don't, why should anybody else? It's just unsanitary and this is supposed to be something pleasurable," said Carroll Baldauf, who supports the ban.

Officials said at this point it's just a matter of getting the word out.

They said they will also change the signs around the bridge in the next couple of weeks.

There's no word on how they will actually enforce the ban.

The Waterfront Development board members said they did some research on other pedestrian bridges.

They said some of them allow pets while others don't.

They called the Big Four bridge unique, however, because of the quarter-mile ramp and the half-mile distance across the Ohio River.

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